V-block clamp construction



Dec. 19, 1967 J. ANTON 3,358,990

' V-BLOCK CLAMP CONSTRUCTION Filed May 21, 1965 United States Patent 3,358,990 V-BLOCK CLAMP CONSTRUCTION Joe Anton, Flushing Meadows, N.Y. (1226 Flushing Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11237) Filed May 21, 1965, Ser. No. 457,661 1 Claim. (Cl. 269118) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A V-block clamp construction including sliding clamping means having a plurality of threaded shanks which are laterally as well as axially adjustably arranged at mutual right angles with respect to each other to facilitate engagement of varying sizes of rectangularly shaped work pieces.

This invention relates generally to the field of work holders for use in supporting work in position for various machining operations, and more particularly to an improved holder for rectangular and square-shaped bodies.

It is among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved V-block having sliding clamping means associated therewith for securely retaining rectangular and square-shaped bodies for production or inspection.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved V-block clamping device of the class described incorporating means for adjustment to accommodate work pieces of different shapes and sizes.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved clamping means employing work-retaining screws, in which the screws may be shifted in a plane normal to the principal axis thereof to a most suitable position for securing work effectively.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved V-block clamping device of the class described in which the cost of fabrication may be of a reasonably low order, with consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

A feature of the invention lies in the fact that the disclosed embodiment possesses equal utility with both rectangularly-shaped work pieces and cylindrically-shaped work pieces.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective of an embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the embodiment as seen from the plane 22 in FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view in elevation as seen from the plane 33= in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a threaded clamp element which comprises a part of the embodiment.

FIGURE 5 is a view in elevation as seen from the lower portion of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a view in elevation as seen from the righthand portion of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view as seen from the plane 7'7 in FIGURE 2.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, comprises broadly: a V-block base element 11, a slidably mounted clamp ice mount element 12, and threaded clamp elements 13 and 14.

The base element 11 is formed from carefully ground steel stock, either hardened or unhardened prior to grinding, and is of conventional V-block configuration, being bounded by a bottom surface 17, end surfaces, one of which is indicated by reference character 18, upper surfaces 19 and 20, and angularly disposed surfaces 21 and 22 which meet in a lower groove 23, as is well-known in the art. Extending vertically as seen in FIGURE 2 are a plurality of threaded bores 24 which are engageable by screws (not shown) for the purpose of securing the base element 11 to a workbed which forms a part of a machine tool performing an operation upon an article held by the device 10. The bores 24 are aligned with non-threaded bores 25. Disposed on either side of the base element 11 are recesses 26 and 27, the recess 26 including a lower surface 28, a vertical surface 29 and an upper surface 30. The recess 27 includes a lower surface 31, a vertical surface 32 and an upper surface 33, the presence of the recesses 26 and 27 in effect forming upper flanges 36 and lower flanges 37.

The slidably mounted clamp mount element 12 is also formed from machined steel, and includes a bridge portion 38 having a threaded bore 39 extending between an upper surface 40 and a lower surface 41 for the purpose of engaging a set screw (not shown).

Connected to the bridge portion 38 at either end thereof are angularly disposed arm portions 42 and 43, which are similar and symmetrical. Each arm portion 42-43 is bounded by an upper surface 44 and a lower surface 45 which define the transverse limits of an elongated bore 46. The bore 46 is bounded by planar surfaces 47 and 47a, as well as arcuate end surfaces 48 and 49 (see FIG- URES 2 and 3).

Interconnected to the lower ends of the arm portions 42 and 43 are channel-forming portions 50 and 51, each being bounded by an outer surface 52, and discontinuous inner surfaces 53 on either side of a groove 54. The groove 54 is of generally rectangular cross-section, including a lower surface 55, a vertical surface 56 and an upper surface 57. The lower surfaces 58 of the portions 50 and 51 extend the full width thereof.

As seen in FIGURES l and 2, the clamp mount element 12 is slidably engaged upon the flanges 36 of the base element 11, and may be moved between the end surfaces 18 for best location, depending upon the work piece 63 being clamped. The clearance between the grooves 54 and the flanges 36 is such as to permit convenient positioning without excessive clearance prior to engagement of the clamp elements 13 and 14 with the work piece.

The threaded clamp elements 13 and 14 are substantially similar, each including a set screw member 59, a first threaded nut member 60, and a second threaded nut member 61. The set screw member 59 may be of conventional recessed head type, including a threaded shank 65 having at one end thereof a recessed head 66.

The first threaded nut member 60 includes a rectangular head portion 69 bounded by an outer surface 70, side surfaces 71, 72, 73 and 74, and an inner surface 74a.

Extending from the surface 74a is a first shank portion 75 having planar outer surfaces 76 and 77 corresponding in location to the width of the bore 46 as measured between the surfaces 47 and 47a. Arcuate surfaces 78 and 79 correspond in radius to that of the surfaces 48 and 49, whereby the first shank portion may be moved between extreme positions in which the oppositely disposed arcuate surfaces contact each other. Extending'from an end surface 80 is a second shank portion 81 having an outer threaded surface 81a. Extending coaxially with respect to the principal axis of the member 60 is a threaded bore 81 corresponding to the threaded shank 65 of the screw member 59.

The seconded threaded nut member 61 is of conventional type, being bounded by end surfaces 83 and 84, polygonal side surfaces 90, and having a threaded bore 91 corresponding to the threaded surface 81a.

As best seen in FIGURE 2 in the drawing, the position of the elements 13' and 14 is adjusted by loosening the second nut member 61 with respect to the first nut member 60, which permits the latter to be slid within the respective elongated bore 46 to proper position, following which the second nut member 61 is tightened. Following this, the screw member 59 may be rotated Within the member 60 to correct position.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

In a V-block clamp construction, including a V-block base element having a pair of surfaces defining a V-shaped recess forsupporting a clamped object, said base having a pair of oppositely disposed projecting flanges extending outwardly therefrom on either side of said V-shaped recess, a clamp mount element of polygonal configuration and including a bridge portion, a pair of angularly disposed arm portions connected to said bridge portion, and a pair of channel-forming portions interconnected by said bridge portion and angularly disposed arm port-ions, the

channel-forming members having a pair of oppositely disposed channels therein corresponding in dimensions and mutual distance to said flanges on said base element, and being slidably disposed thereon, the improvement comprising: at least one of said angularly disposed arm portions having an elongated slot therein; and a threaded clamp element adjustably engaged within said elongated slot, said clamp element including first and second threaded nut members, said first threaded nut member having a principal axis and an axially disposed threaded bore extending therethrough, a head portion of dimensions longer than the smaller dimension of said elongated slot, a first shank portion having parallel planar surfaces corresponding to the smaller dimension of said elongated slot, and a second externally threaded shank portion; said second member having an internally threaded shank portion; said second member having an internally threaded bore engaged upon said second shank portion, said first shank portion being disposed Within said elongated slot.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,845,438 2/1932 Parkhurst. 2,455,024 11/1948 Schneider 7762 FOREIGN PATENTS 453,016 5/1913 France.

ROBERT C. RIORDON, Primary Examiner.

J. F. MCKEOWN, Assistant Examiner. 

